Posted on Friday, September 5, 2014

5 Marks of an INCREDIBLE Team

Last night I watched the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks dismantle the Packers. It’s great to be a Seahawks fan! 1-0. They are no doubt the team to beat this year and they have the one overarching quality that makes for an incredible team…CHEMISTRY. The qualities listed below create attractive, effusive chemistry. Incredible teams don’t have perfect people but everyone understands their role and what the goal is…WIN. This is Exhilarating!

It’s not personal ego or accomplishment that matters, but in the end it’s what is on the SCOREBOARD.

“In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:20

Teams rally together and in the case of a church, if God is for us who can be against us? Our scoreboard is lives rebuilt, small groups living sent on mission, and disciples made. All of these things happen through teams. From the beginning, everything we have done has been around the idea of teams. Man is it exciting to be a part of an INCREDIBLE team.

5 Marks Of An Incredible Team…

#1 Unselfishness – When one person gets all the credit, the team is dysfunctional. Unselfishness seeks to advance others for the betterment of the team and the advancement of the cause. When one person makes decisions based on what is best for them rather than the team, it all falls apart. Unselfish people are constantly early for the meeting.

QUESTION: Do you look out more for yourself or others?

#2 Reliability – Not just when things are good but even more so when things aren’t looking good. If you disappear when things get rough, your hurting the team. It’s easy to be a part of a team when things are great, but your true commitment is tested when you don’t see a solution. Reliable people are present through ALL circumstances and they KEEP their word.

QUESTION: Do you support or subvert the vision when things get tough?

#3 Clarity – The greatest teams I have been about are clear and concise about what the common goal is. This happens when people understand how what they do fits with the overarching vision. Where there is clarity there has already been great conviction. WE MUST do this, WE WILL do this, NO MATTER WHAT, THIS IS HAPPENING! The vision is razor sharp, easy for people to see and experience.

QUESTION: Is your team clear about what your team is about?

#4 Urgency – Look, there is limited time to complete the vision. Working diligently to accomplish something that has a noble purpose should not be intentionally delayed. For our church, the urgency is critical. If we don’t work quickly, people go hungry, kids don’t find Jesus, parents lose direction, people lose hope, the enemy temporarily wins. Now is the time!

QUESTION: Are you complacent or compelled when it comes to your team’s vision?

#5 Honor – This may be the most important of all the qualities. When honor is present there is a deep respect of the people you are working with and for. People matter to God and their gifts are to be encouraged. No gossiping, no side conversations, not a critical spirit. But encouragement, direct communication and love for one another.

QUESTION: Are you a complainer or a champion of unity?

Wear your favorite team jersey this Sunday and get ready to be a part of an incredible TEAM! Go 217church! What else would you add to this list?

Josh

Join us at 217church THIS WEEK for teams Sunday! Every Sunday over 80 people help make the weekend services at 217church happen! You will have an opportunity to Join our Hospitality, worship & media, set up, or 217kids team this weekend. Or just show up at 8:30am at either campus and we will make sure you get on a dynamic team!

September 7th – Teamwork and the Dream

September 14th – ACTIVATE SERIES / Fall Launch!

We are the church that meets at the theater! Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Starplex Cinemas in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Friday, August 22, 2014

Getting Rid Of Materialism

Money IS NOT BAD. I knew you would like that statement. There, now that I have your attention, one of the most difficult things to learn in this life is how to be content with what we have. Let’s face it, we all would enjoy a better job, a nicer car, a little bit more stuff and additional convenience. As I was back to school shopping I caught what I call the “more bug” We need more, more and more! This is not true and this though has the power to absolutely RUIN us! Why is it that so many of us are dissatisfied with our current circumstances? Probably because we have been fed the lies that a materialistic culture saturated with marketing breeds. We are the most marketed culture EVER!

SO NOW that we have established we have this dysfunctional disease called materialism, what do we do to get rid of it??

It’s not how much you have but what you do with what you have.

“…give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,” Proverbs 30:8

5 Ways to Get Rid Of Materialism

#1 Stop Comparing: One of the foolish things we tend to do is compare our own standing financially with others. This is as simple as visiting someone’s home and seeing they have “nicer stuff” than you. Their TV is flat screen, their refrigerator is stainless steel, their house has new carpet, and on and on the comparing goes. What has God blessed you with? Do you feel it is enough? There will always be someone who has nicer things than you do. It is not about what you have, but how satisfied are you with what you have.

#2 Give First: Try this for 30 days and see if it doesn’t reorient your financial life. Ask God how much you should give and to whom and then obey. When you give, you are saying to your money, “you don’t own me and I will not be mastered by you.” After you give celebrate by telling NO ONE! Just quietly develop the lifestyle of generosity without the approval of others. Then you will ensure you are not doing it for man’s approval, but rather for God’s.

#3 Eliminate Entitlement: You do not DESERVE a new <fill in the blank>. Entitlement is destroying the financial future of the next generation. Work an honest wage for an honest job and learn to wait for what you want or think you need. No one owes you anything. God’s chief purpose for your life is not for you to be rich, but you were born to glorify God with all you have. This means you must pray to God that he will rid you of thinking you are better than other people.

#4 Pray Continually: Beating materialism on your own is one of the most foolish things you can attempt to do, especially if it is something you have struggled with in the past. God has to literally root this out of you. You will have to plead with Him to beat down and subvert your fleshly desires for more things. The SALE sign may be your worst enemy.

#5 Get Accountability: You will almost always be better at this if you have someone walking along side you. Is this a problem for you? If you can’t submit to someone in your finances, you will have problems growing. How bad do you want to beat this? Don’t justify and call a want a need, you know what that means.

Contentment isn’t easy, but it will only come from a close relationship and dependence on Jesus.

Our Financial Breakthru Series continues Sunday at 217church. Come explore 4 words that lead to financial break thru:

February 26 – Work / With all your Strength – WATCH THE MESSAGES HERE

March 5 – Give / Give up control

March 12 – Save / Plan for the future

March 19 – Live / With NO regrets

Josh Conn is the founding pastor of 217church, a contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church meets Sundays at 10:30am at Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here.

Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2014

What To Do When a Relationship Goes Bad

When a relationship goes bad, some of us FLEX OUR MUSCLES, blow up, yell, get angry and try to win. This is always the WRONG APPROACH. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely hate it when I am misunderstood. More than that, I despise it when people understand me but don’t think like I think! This is when tension happens in our families, marriages, workplaces and yes even in the church. It’s happened to ALL of us. None of us are immune to a relationship that goes bad for multiple reasons. Depending on our personality, maturity and even circumstances or time of the day, we all will handle a relationship going bad differently.

The question is not will a relationship have conflict, but how will you react to conflict?

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Just because we disagree with someone doesn’t mean we don’t love them and vice-versa. No matter what you want to accomplish in your life you will have to develop people skills. This is the ability to deal with others respectfully to find the place of peace in your relationships. Most of us think we are better at conflict than we really are and even when we feel like we have done all we can, it can still GO BAD. Let me preface these 5 words with this one: WILLINGNESS. If you aren’t willing to fix the problem, stop reading now.

5 Words When A Relationship Goes Bad…

#1 Listen – The most frustrating thing you can do to a person is talk over them. Before you draw all your conclusions, listen to then. It is impossible to listen while speaking. And remember, you aren’t listening to be polite, you are listening in order to understand that you might love the person. As you listen, you may discover something broken in your own thinking (Proverbs 19:20) “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

#2 Space – Not separating forever but for a season. Sometimes you just have to get away from the person for a short period of time. It is always best to mutually define the terms of a relational separation as well. There is a difference in calling a timeout during a game vs. walking off the field. Feel free and call one, but don’t abandon the relationship. This even happened among the apostles at times: (Acts 15:39) “And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.”

#3 Compromise – What I have discovered over the years is that people love the IDEA of compromise but not many really want to do it. Usually this is based out of fear and resentment. When you meet in the middle ground you win. Some of the most brilliant, highly thought of people understand how to lose and yet win. If you have to always be right you are a prideful and hurting person. If you can see the problem from their perspective you can find a middle ground.

#4 Mediators – Many times you won’t be able to see eye to eye, but don’t give up; ask someone to help you. This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to see a professional counselor, but maybe there is an unbiased friend who you can both trust to help you through. Usually with counselors and mediators there will be rules of engagement and they will help you both to see ways you are either manipulating the conversation or projecting things on the other person that simply aren’t true.

#5 Forgive – Yep, you knew it was coming to this. Maybe your perspective was wrong? Maybe they got emotional and said something they didn’t meant to? You have to be willing to forgive. Then believe the BEST about the person’s intentions going forward. Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean you have to go on vacation together, but here is a warning if you don’t think you have to forgive: (Matthew 6:15) “but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” OUCH! So in the end it’s WORTH IT to fix the relationship.

What words would you add to this list? What input would you give to someone caught in a relationship gone BAD! Post your comments below.

Josh

Join us at 217church this week for our summer series #JERSEYFRESH! #Summer2014

August 17th – Fresh Love – Cultivating the heart of God

August 24th – Fresh Patience – Learning to wait

Posted on Tuesday, August 5, 2014

How To Have a Great Day – Be Proactive

I know, when you first read this post you may be thinking, “What, how to have a good day? I can’t control that!” Well as a matter of fact you can. When I woke up on Monday I determined in my heart. no matter what happened to me this week I was going to do everything possible to make sure I took responsibility for the week and make it GREAT. Right now as I am writing this its Tuesday and I am on a 1 day winning streak, working on two. The one word that helps me with this idea is simple and yet profound. PROACTIVITY

Are you planning your life or simply reacting to your circumstances?

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established..” Proverbs 16:3

Too many times we let life happen to us and then make excuses why we didn’t accomplish what God had for us. Hopefully this post will take you from an excuse maker to a play maker! Know who you are and what you spend your time doing.

How to Have a GREAT DAY

#1 Total Dependence – Whatever I do this week I have determined to totally depend on God. This means immediately it’s time to PRAY. A great week is put together through discipline in executing great days. This can only happen by every morning declaring my dependence on God and His Gospel and the power of the cross, NOT my power and ability. The difficult meeting, the painful phone call, the unforseen surprise, these things will be handled best by leaning on Jesus.

#2 Prioritize – This may seem like an easy thing to think through but it’s a difficult thing to execute. I can guarantee you there are things you MUST do this week in order to have a good week. The enemy of prioritization is procrastination. Go ahead and wait until the last minute and I can guarantee your quality of work will suffer and your stress levels will go off the charts. When this happens, don’t blame anyone else but yourself. There is always a price to pay. Take time and think through what is MOST IMPORTANT and do this first!

#3 Attitude Check – Feel like your are overwhelmed? Overworked? Life isn’t fair? Boss being a little demanding? Take time and thank the Lord you have a job and make sure that you aren’t responding negatively. When you find your attitude going south, choose to be a team player, change your perspective and be positive. Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” ALWAYS choose humility.

#4 Calm Down – Many of us would define a good week by what happened to us. Unfortunately, this is totally bogus. Don’t let your circumstances define your emotional state. Learn to be content in any and all situations and don’t overreact. (Philippians 4:11) If you worked hard on the right things, you have done all you can.

#5 Get On A Winning Streak – Never underestimate the power of progress. Once you get on a winning streak, lean into it. Use all your energy and strength to believe in the above 4 steps and go forward. Momentum in the right direction is INCREDIBLE and will yield results. Once you string a few wins together, watch out, you become dangerous.

But here is the game changer: Tomorrow is a new day! Never define success by your circumstances and don’t let life happen to you, MAKE IT HAPPEN! Now go and get it done! #Proactivity

Josh

Join us at 217church this week for our series #RediscoveringJoy #2015

February 1st – Joy & Today – (Go Seahawks!)

February 8th- Joy & Generosity –

February 15th – Joy & Grace –

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 10:15. Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Monday, July 21, 2014

It’s Time to Work – Pray First

After being in Santiago, Dominican Republic now for almost 48 hours – it’s time to get to work. We have been introduced to the incredible leaders of the team here, Rick and Tammie Romano. They have been here 3 years and God has used them as encouragers.

18 youth and adults are here from 217church and ready to build, smile, learn, love, teach, and encourage. Today we will be finishing up painting a church building in the morning and ministering to kids in the afternoon.

Yesterday we were led through John 13 and asked to listen to what God would say to us. My simple phrase was “no servant is greater than his master” it’s time for us to serve Jesus and set the example of loving people.

But first we Pray –

Three Ways To Pray For Us

#1 Humility – Jesus comes first
#2 Flexibility – Jesus would shape us
#3 Favor – in travel, relationships, and safety

Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2014

10 Reasons You Need To Worship This Sunday

As I am writing this it is Saturday night. You may have a lot of reasons/excuses why you won’t be at a gathering of the body of Christ tomorrow. Very few of them are legitimate however. The gathering of the church on the sabbath is one of the most important practices you can have if you claim to be a Christ follower. People turn to Christ and are restored in their relationship with Jesus, below is one example.

Worship services produce this…

^{24 “}And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,²⁵not giving up meeting together…” Hebrews 10:24-25

I know there is a group of people who are Christ followers who speak out against corporate worship. Criticizing a group of people worshiping God through the presentation of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit is ridiculous. There are so many great reasons to worship together with a church tomorrow. Don’t miss out on what God has for you tomorrow.

10 Reasons You Need to Worship This Sunday

#1 The Church Needs You – When you aren’t there it isn’t the same. If you aren’t there who will pray for others? Who will greet the person coming for the first time? When you don’t feel like it, is probably when the church needs you the most. Remember that day you came and prayed for someone? If not, maybe it’s time tomorrow.

#2 God Has Something to Say To You – This is such an simple idea. I know people will say, “Jesus can talk to me anywhere.” True, but powerful Holy Spirit driven teaching will transform you. Or maybe someone sitting beside you will say something to you that will change your life. Think of the most powerful moment you have had in a worship service on a Sunday. What if you would have skipped that week? Enough said.

#3 You Need To Serve – Greet, pray, be an usher, help set up and tear down, work with kids, come early and pray. Serving transforms you like nothing else.

#4 You Need This Priority – Jesus deserves to be worshiped! He died on a cross for us for the sake of our salvation. Isn’t it time to set your priorities straight? How would your life be different if you prioritized the church over everything else? I am amazed how the church is at the bottom of the priority list for many people. If you show up once a month don’t expect to be known and don’t expect to have community. Many of us are more committed to our kid’s sporting events than them being taught the priority of worshiping Jesus.

#5 Someone Might Get Healed – When the Holy Spirit shows up you never know what will happen. Many times I will be telling someone about God healing someone, someone coming to Christ for the first time, or an incredible, indescribable moment the church had together, AND they MISSED it.

#6 Communion Matters – Celebrating the Gospel through the breaking of bread together is foundational to understanding who Jesus is.

#7 You Need To Give – That’s right, giving money is a worship response to a life totally surrendered to God. You are telling God, “You own it all.” Determine before you come what you will give out of how God has provided for you this week. It’s what we are supposed to do.

#8 Singing is Healing For The Soul – I have heard some people say, I don’t sing. Well, try it. What other place can you belt out at the top of your lungs praises to God? It’s time you came, opened your mouth and proclaimed how incredible God is. Trust me, God hears you. There is nothing like at 217church when 200+ people belt out worship together in unison during a worship service This may be the thing holding your spiritual growth back.

#9 Every Sunday Matters – If you are a Dad or Mom, get your family out of bed and make a statement. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:15) There is nothing more powerful and influential than a father and mother who takes personal responsibility for his or her family worshiping together! If you are single, start practicing for when you have a family.

#10 I Want to See you! – This one is very personal for me. I love seeing people every week. I love learning new names, I love when you bring your neighbors, I love when you take the church seriously and interact. I love when people don’t want to leave. I visited a sick woman who will most likely NEVER be in a church again. She told me she missed it and wished she could go. You have legs, you are able, you belong with the church tomorrow!

Josh

Join us at 217church this week for Faith and Practice, week three of our #ExtraordinaryFaith series –

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10am and Sharon School in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00. Our new Robbinsville Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. Celebrate A new season with a new habit. We would love to see you.

Posted on Friday, June 13, 2014

When Your Life Gets Stale

After a week away from my house I opened the refrigerator and there it was lurking, the smell of staleness. The minute I opened up the door I knew something wasn’t right. So I began searching and in the bottom fruit drawer, there was a rotten piece of fruit. It was disgusting! So bad I didn’t even want to touch it. What was once a ripe perfect peach was now a moldy, discolored, smelly, contaminated, no longer fit for consumption piece of garbage. Maybe you feel like you were once bearing fruit, but now, its all gone bad.

What was once meant for our benefit has now turned toxic to us.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing..” John 15:5

You are probably no stranger to spiritual stagnation. You know that time in your life where you are reading the bible, praying, worshiping, a part of a small group family and yet NOTHING seems to help and you don’t feel close to God? You are in the “desert” and there doesn’t feel like there is even a way out. Hold on and calm down, Jesus knows how you feel, and He is probably closer than you think.

4 Things To Do When Life Feels STALE: Keep It #FRESH

#1 Call Out to God – When Jesus felt alone and abandoned, He actually cried out to God, “my God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” I call this the good enough principle. If it is good enough for Jesus it is good enough for me. What are you afraid of? God is listening to you and is waiting to hear you cry out to him. Until you realize your desperation you will fall into the trap of mediocrity.

#2 Get Away – I don’t think I can ever beat the drum of practicing sabbath enough. Why? because we don’t do it enough. On your sabbath, confess your sins. This means you are using this as a time to detox. Is there anyone you need to forgive? Is there a problem you need help with? Is there a debt that is unpaid you are ignoring? Getting away gives us perspective. Recently, as my wife and I went on a sabbath retreat together, as we left NJ and were on the road, we felt like all of the sudden we saw things with a different perspective. It was refreshing!

#3 Change Your Routine – Maybe you are the one who needs changing and God wants you to change. We tend to cling to routine and then say, “this is just how God speaks to me.” Maybe God wants to take you through a new season in your life where you hear His voice differently. Maybe you should “sing a new song” To God. So many times we live on yesterday’s blessings and last year’s harvest. You need a #fresh blessing from God with a #fresh word and a #fresh revelation from Him. Change it up!

#4 Obey – What was the last thing you felt God told you to do? Did you do it, or are you still running? Many times we don’t hear the voice of God because we are running from the call on our lives. God simply wants us to do the last thing he told us. (And by the way, the closer you get to Him, sometimes the more unreasonable these things become) Many distractions get in the way: money, convenience, comfort, laziness, and as long as you stay in your comfort zone he will probably keep you in the desert.

We have all been there and I don’t know how long your season will last, but NEVER give up on God’s #FRESH START for you.

Josh

Join us at 217church this week for our new summer series #JERSEYFRESH! #Summer2014

June 15 – Fresh Vision

June 22 – Fresh Perspective

June 29 – Fresh Grace

July 6 – Fresh Relationships

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. Celebrate Father’s Day with us Sunday June 15th

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2014

What To Do When You Blow It

Yesterday was an incredibly perfect day. Probably one of the best days of the year for me, no joke. I came back from the sunny beach after hanging out with my family, watching the kids play in the waves, soaking up the sun, playing catch, it doesn’t get much better than this, right? We came back to the house and I thought I would take a dip in the pool so I jumped in and man it was AWESOME! Then 20-30 minutes later I realized I had been swimming with my phone in my pocket! Oops, bye, bye, phone.

Bad decisions are bound to happen but it is more about how you react than the decision itself.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

It happens to all of us. We make boneheaded decisions, fail, forget and sometimes these decision happen on accident. There are a ton of different reasons we make these decision, self preservation, selfish ambition, forgetfulness, but what should we do when we make these decisions?

6 Things To Do When You Absolutely BLOW IT!

#1 Calm Down – Overreacting is perhaps the silliest thing you can do. When I realized I had been swimming with my phone, I got out, looked at Summer and said, “whoops, I forgot to take my phone out of my pocket.” Then, she laughed at me, and I laughed at myself. Can you imagine me, FREAKING OUT, losing my mind? (Ok, maybe you can) but that didn’t happen. You can’t get to step one until you control your emotions.

#2 Ask For Help – Immediately, after she laughed I asked her if she knew what to do, of course she did. Power off the phone, Get some rice, put the phone in a plastic bag with the rice and do nothing for 36-48 hours. So many people make bad decisions and then try to go it on their own. Pride and unwillingness to be wrong cause so much hurt. Who do you need to accept help from today? So I immediately jumped in the car, drove to the store and got a bag of rice and some ziplock bags.

#3 Act Quickly – Now is the time for action. Time is of the essence. Don’t wait for someone else to solve your problem or to take a step for you. You are responsible for you and your own actions. Your character is at stake. It’s time to act. Don’t wait for others to do what you can do for yourself.

#4 Get Rid of Guilt – Moping around the house will do me no good, THE – PHONE – IS – DEAD. Only the rice and a miracle act of God will save the phone now. Guilt is okay for a few moments. I felt pretty stupid, but hey, who can fault me for jumping in the pool, Summer was in there 🙂 It happened, Its over, let’s move on from the guilt.

#5 Don’t Blame – We spend way too much time blaming other people for our circumstances. Even if they were at fault for where you are now, the question is, “What are you going to do?” It’s over! Move On! I know it may not seem that simple, but no matter what the current reality it’s time to forgive and move on. Its a hard thing to do, but it’s worth it. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.

#6 Be Patient – There comes a time when you realized you have done all you can. If that is the case, take the pressure off, rest. You have done everything you know to do so you have to let go and just wait. Take it one day at a time and control what you can control, your actions.

I think I’ll go for a swim.

Josh

By the way…since the writing of this blog, Phone didn’t make it 🙁

Join us at 217church this week for our message… “Total Dependence on God.”

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2014

Four Prayers I Am Praying For You

Yesterday I went to my mailbox and there was a birthday card from a dear friend of mine named Lorin. Lorin is a man in his 80’s who wakes up at 4:30 am EVERY MORNING to pray. During that time, he prays for me EVERY DAY. He prays for my marriage, my health, he even prays for my church family and my ministry! There are days when I wake up and sense the strength of his prayers from 3,000 miles away calling out to the heavens incterceding for me. I am convinced there is nothing more important I can do than pray for you, church. Here is how I pray for you. Here is what you need to know…

“The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective ” James 5:16

God is not done with you. No matter what you face it is for a season. But when all else fails, you can absolutely depend on God. It’s time to pray.

Four Prayers I am Praying For You…

#1 Your Faith – Jesus takes convicts and turns them in to converts. That is right, this is what we are all about, restoring people in their relationship with Jesus. He came that we would have faith and that He would die and be the ultimate sacrifice so we would have eternal life and know and follow HIM. RESTORED! This is our word. Jesus rose from the DEAD and while pointing to Jesus, My prayer is your belief would increase that you would be able to take your eyes off the worldly results and call out in the heavenly reality

#2 Your Finances – What we invest in we value. I have talked to so many people these last two weeks who are hurting financially. When you can’t provide for your family there is uncertainty, fear, confusion and even insecurity. We need to continue to pray for God’s provision for the people of our community. Especially the elderly, the disabled, the widows and the single moms. When we begin praying these prayers God will move us to realize that we are to be generous and help one another through difficult times. I love being a part of a church and community that believes in taking care of those who are going through rough times. We do this because it is an example of the Gospel of Jesus in action. Giving is not about a legalistic percentage, but a heart that is transformed as a reflection of the Gospel. A FAMILY takes care of one another and advances the Gospel with its finances. My prayer is you would have enough to live but not so much that you would depend on your riches.

#3 Your Focus – Be more afraid of missing an opportunity than failing. Distractions will derail your life. Jesus and the Gospel are what matters. We are to be pursuing Him as our FIRST priority. We are to serve others and love them. Who has Jesus sent you to? Take your eyes off yourself and you will begin to gain the right focus. The church is at it’s best serving the community, loving people, taking care of one another, pursuing the common good, sharing meals together and speaking out as a peaceful voice of reason. My prayer is you would focus on the right things.

#4 Favor of the People – We are HIS children – Let me say that again. You have a seat at the table with Jesus and he calls you, “brother, sister and friend.” I tell my children they bear my last name and they need to act like it! When you realize whose family you are in and that the Father has lavished the greatest gift of love and favor on your life, it changes how you PRAY. Through forgiveness of sins, repentance, privilege and honor to be called the church and a life in heaven with HIM, he has given us favor. This changes our perspective. We need to pray for the favor of God that he would be merciful and gracious, especially with those who don’t know Him yet. My prayer is he would INCREASE HIS FAVOR upon you.

You refresh my heart and it is a privilege to pray for you.

Which of these areas are you desperate in now? Comment below, I would love to pray for you.

Josh

Josh is the lead pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ planted in 2010. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Friday, May 16, 2014

What I Hate About My Body

Most of us have thought something demeaning about our body. We look at our face that has a nose that is too big, skin tone that we want a little darker, a belly that we can’t seem to get rid of, hips that just won’t quit! What I hate about my body is my perspective. Most guys look in the mirror just like the girls do. Our hair is falling out, our pecks aren’t manly enough and the dude on the cover of the men’s health magazine, well, he is too fabulous for me. I have struggled with hating certain attributes about my body, but there are certain things I have to accept about me. There are some things I can change and some things I just have to live with.

Will power is exhausting, His power is exhilarating!

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? ” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Trying harder to reach a goal with our physical health is EXHAUSTING. I’m not saying be a “quitter”, but the motivation matters. Whenever I choose to set a goal now, whether it is running a marathon or strengthening my upper body (I weigh a buck forty-five). I first choose to do it by HIS POWER. I run the marathon first to GLORIFY GOD with my body, after all, it’s HIS exclusively. But I told you before, what I hate is my perspective so here is how to go about changing your view…

Four Ways To Change Perspective About Your Body –

#1 Release The Guilt – Ok, so you are overweight, there I said it. So what? Why are you letting the world’s standards of beauty and desire define you. What if you stopped beating yourself up and held your hands up to the heavens and made your physical health a spiritual issue. Your body matters to God. He cares what you eat and he has forgiven, empowered, strengthened and loves you. Fasting is a great way to release the guilt. Struggling with guilt? Skip ONE meal and take the time you would ordinarily eat and pray to God for the whole time. Proclaim that your body is His body. Let Him give you the grace you need. Receive from HIM.

#2 Stop Comparing – This is difficult because the culture has programmed us to compare everything we are to others. We have been corrupted! Our faces, stomachs, legs, how big this is or small that is, it’s destructive. Whenever you proclaim dissatisfaction with your genetic make up, you demean God. Here is a truth, there will always be somebody better, faster, and stronger. Comparison will kill your motivation. Be content with who God created you to be. That face is a one of a kind. If they don’t like it so what? Stop letting others own you!

#3 Start Reading – You need to concentrate on what God says about you! Yes read the BIBLE! Many issues of physical health have roots in other spiritual things like depression, anger, abuse, and low self esteem. You may just be listening to the wrong voices. You may need to seek professional counseling, but once you wrap your heart around who God says you are, your identity becomes clear and you have a starting point. It is the Gospel of Jesus that should motivate and guide us, not the magazine cover girl! He created you and has redeemed you. Here is a start… Colossians 1:2-3 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” YOUR LIFE IS IN GOD! GOOD NEWS!

#4 Take Responsibility – The first three are easier but the last one is hard. It’s time for us to stop blaming everyone else for our circumstances, including those parts of our physical health we can control. The three ways you can become more healthy that almost everyone accepts are: Eat more things that are green, Exercise on a plan, and set goals that are attainable. This means we need to be focused and disciplined. Ask God what he wants for your body. Maybe He will tell you to lose those 30 pounds so you have energy to bounce those grandkids around another 5 years? Whatever it is, stop blaming and start changing.

My final thought is this, find someone to help! You are always better with a coach! This Sunday we will have time to pray for those of you who need specific physical healing. I can’t wait.

Now go work that body…

Josh

Join us at 217church for the final week of our series Live Differently.

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11.